NORTHFIELD, MINN.—Well executed team tactics and an outstanding lead out helped Jacob Oyen to place second in the 4/5 race at the Northfield Crit on Independence day. The six corner course allowed the racing fireworks to fly all day in multiple races.

The first race of the day was the Masters 3/4 race. Doug Klahsen and Steve Reynolds toed the line for the race. While the pace was quick, it wasn’t fast enough to chase down a two man break that included Jerome Rewerts (All9Yards) that was established halfway through the race. Reynolds contested the sprint placing fifth while Klahsen rolled through in 17th.

Kyle Fleener, in his first criterium race of the year, shot off the the first firecracker in the 4/5 race with a pre-race mechanical. Thanks to the great guys at onSupport, they had Fleener up and running in time to toe the line with a neutral service bike.

Oyen and his teammates controlled the 4/5 field right from the start of the race by pacing the field through the first few laps in the top three positions. A break tried to develop early but was unsuccessful and brought back quickly. Oyen then took a flyer off the front to test the waters lasting only a lap off the front of the field. After a few laps, Fleener tested the waters again but was unsuccessful at getting away from the field.

After a lap prime, Klahsen and four other riders attempted to establish a break. Reynolds and the rest of the team helped to slow the peloton but proved to be unsuccessful. With three laps to go, Fleener took another flyer off the front this time staying away for two laps. Klahsen, Reynolds and Oyen took this chance to rest for the upcoming sprint finish.

With one lap to go Fleener was caught and the grand finale began. Going into turn one there was a crash that separated the field. Oyen, Reynolds and Fleener made it through unscathed to contest the sprint. Reynolds lined things up for Oyen setting up the lead out from third place. Coming out of the final turn, Oyen turned on the gas to capture second place while Reynolds placed fifth. Fleener and Klahsen rolled through in 15th and 21st places respectively.

After a two hour break, Klahsen rolled up to the line for his third race of the day and was joined by Oyen in his second race of the day. The 3/4 race started with a high pace which never let up. The riders, while tired, did their best to stay well positioned in the pack. As the day went on the pace proved to be too high for Klahsen in his third race as he called it a day early. Oyen continued on with the field and finished in the group in 20th.

The racers have a busy week ahead of them starting with the third edition of the Elkhart time trial series on Thursday. The racers then plan to head to Clear Lake for a double race weekend starting with the Bicycle Blues and BBQ Crit on Saturday and a road race on Sunday. The Clear Lake race weekend also marks the last opportunity for the team to earn Iowa Cup points.